Pretest for ASVAB

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Army ASVAB Pretest

If you are planning for a career in the US Army, the scores of ASVAB
are critically important. Though ASVAB may not require any extra
coaching classes or programs for preparations, it is essential that
potential candidates review the core topic areas covered in the test
battery, and take a pretest and some other sample tests to understand
about their own strengths and weaknesses. Read on to find more about
the pre tests and their significance.

The ASVAB Test

The ASVAB is a battery of timed
aptitude
tests, that is used to decide the eligibility of candidates for US
military enlisting and also for classifying purposes.
While the scores of all subtests are used for classifying purposes, the
scores of only four subtests are used to determine the candidates'
eligibility into enlisting. Today, the test is also used by school
students to explore their potential career options and as a
self-assessment tool. You can find more information about the test- its
contents, structure, formats, etc. at:

This test covers the basic topics of English, Math and
General Science pertaining to the school/college level, in nine (in the
P&P ASVAB) or ten (in the CAT-ASVAB) subtests. Moreover, though the
test content is the same across all the military branches, the scoring
requirements differ for enlisting into various military services
including the US Army. For example, the US Army needs a minimum AFQT
score of 31 for enlistment, while the Coast Guard and the Navy have
higher minimum AFQT score requirements.

Also, the line score (subtest
clusters) requirements differ for each of the wings of the armed
forces. Accordingly, aspiring candidates to US Army need to set their
target high scores as per their career interests, aspirations and
aptitudes, in addition to the various score requirements of the ASVAB.

With multiple resources available both online and offline, there is
no dearth of practice materials for preparation. At the same time,
along with reviewing the core test areas and being focussed, it is
always good to start off the preparation for the pretest. It contains
the same core topics as in the ASVAB test and contains multiple-choice
questions. It follows the same pattern and timings as the original test
and also provides the test scores to candidates.

In other words, a pretest is just a pilot version of the test and is in no way different from the
ASVAB test; the only difference being that the pretest
scores are not used by recruiters for enlisting purposes. Taking a
pretest and taking more practice tests/ sample tests in between the
test preparations offers many advantages to the test takers.

First of all, it helps in understanding
the potential candidates' plus and minus points at the beginning
only. It becomes easier for the candidates to plan and customize the
preparation program
and plans according to their requirements. With strengths and
weaknesses identified early enough, a candidate can easily focus more
on the weaker areas.

From the recruiters' point of view, the scores of a pretest often are an indication for a
potential candidate's scores in the forthcoming test. Many recruiters use the pretest as
a part of their pre-screening activities to choose which candidates
should take up this test. For the recruiters, it provides for an opportunity to save resources. Only
those candidates who demonstrate a probability of good performance in
the AFQT need be administered the actual ASVAB test.

Since the pretest is based on the actual test and follows the
same pattern; it also helps the candidates understand more accurately
about the test pattern, question types, number of questions, timings
for each section, etc.

It also helps potential candidates improve
their timings. Since the pretest is modelled on the original test,
it becomes possible for candidates to gauge the time they spent on each
subtest, and improve the same, if required.

Also, when a candidate understands the score requirements for
army
enlisting, it becomes easier for him/her to compare the pretest scores
against the required scores and thus have realistic target ASVAB scores
and prepare accordingly.

Whether as a part of the pre-screening activities, or as a
preparation initiative, taking an ASVAB pretest is an important
step that potential test
candidates cannot avoid. This is because in addition to helping recruiters filter the
best possible applicants, it also aids in helping prospective
candidates in their preparation for this test.